Chapter 198
Gianna was shocked. Ximena, who had always disliked her and even pushed for her divorce from Felix, was now urging them to remarry. What was going on?
Seeing Gianna's reaction, Ximena awkwardly cleared her throat. "Since Felix likes you, there's nothing I can do. You two should remarry soon and bear a child for the Clinton family!"
Gianna finally got it—Ximena wanted her to have a baby.
After a brief silence, Gianna smiled, "Ximena, whether Felix and I remarry and when we do it is our business. Please don't interfere."
Ximena frowned, her tone icy, "If Felix hadn't insisted on being with you, do you think I'd let you marry into the Clinton family again?"
Gianna was about to respond when Felix cut in coldly, "Are you done?"
Ximena was stunned, looking at Felix in disbelief, "Felix, I've agreed to your remarriage. What more do you want?"
Felix's expression was frosty, "Whether we remarry or not has nothing to do with your approval."
"You!" Ximena was furious, "I'm asking this for your own good!"
"No need for your help. My stance is the same as Gianna's. Stay out of our relationship," Felix said sternly.
Ximena, not expecting Felix to side with Gianna, was livid, "Fine! I won't meddle anymore!"
She stormed off, and Connor gave Gianna a displeased look before leaving too. He had no issues with Gianna initially, but seeing the family so unhappy because of her, he couldn't find it in himself like her. To them, an obedient daughter-in-law was better than a capable one.
After they left, Gianna looked at Felix, "I thought you'd support your mom when she suggested we remarry."
Felix looked at her seriously, "Of course, I want to remarry you, but only if you want to."
Gianna pressed her lips together, not continuing the topic, "I'm going in to see Natalie."
She had thought about remarrying Felix but was hesitant. At the restaurant, she had sensed Felix was planning to propose and had decided to agree, but a phone call had interrupted them. She decided that maybe it wasn't the right time, and it was better to let things happen naturally.
Gianna planned to stay overnight at the hospital, but Natalie kicked her and Felix out. "I can manage on my own, and there's a nurse here. You two go home and come back tomorrow."
Gianna frowned, worried, "Natalie, how about I stay with you?"
Natalie interrupted, "I'm not so old that I can't move. You won't rest well here and won't have energy for work tomorrow. Go home, rest, and come see me after work. Don't forget to bring my favorite dessert."
Seeing Natalie still thinking about food at a time like this, Gianna smiled, "Alright, I'll bring it tomorrow. We'll head back now. Call us if you need anything."
Natalie waved her off, "Got it, got it. You two hurry back. Gianna, you've become naggy since being with that rascal Felix!"
Gianna glanced at Felix, 'How was he naggy?'
After a long night, they got home past midnight. Gianna showered and went to bed, but Felix couldn't sleep.
Felix went to the study to finish some paperwork and took out the diamond ring he had planned to propose with. He had bought it during a business trip to the UK, thinking it would look perfect on Gianna's hand, but never got the chance to give it to her. He had planned to propose at the restaurant tonight, but the phone call ruined it.
Staring at the ring for a long time, Felix sighed and locked it in a drawer. He decided to propose after dealing with Bella.
With a cold look in his eyes, Felix called Sophia, "Stop all funding to LR Design Studio and inform all partners that LR Design Studio is no longer associated with the Clinton Group."
"Yes, President," Sophia replied curtly.
In the following days, LR Design Studio kept getting contract termination notices. Almost all partners, except those who depended on LR Design Studio for survival, cut ties.
Bella was nearly driven to collapse as she received one termination notice after another. She angrily sought out Thomas for help, but he refused.
"Bella, have you forgotten? I have no resources or funds. How can I help you?" Thomas asked.
"If you hadn't said that no one could tell that it was composite image wouldn't be discovered, I wouldn't have risked suing MY FASHION. This is all your fault, and you can't just shirk responsibility!" Bella fumed.
Thomas sneered, "It was your greed that made you decide to sue. I gave you that image, but I never told you to sue MY FASHION."
Bella glared at him, "We're in this together. If I go down, you won't fare well either!"
After a few seconds of silence, Thomas said helplessly, "It's not that I don't want to help you. Felix has publicly announced that LR Design Studio has no relationship with the Clinton Group anymore. Otherwise, do you think those companies relying on the Clinton Group would dare to terminate their contracts with LR Design Studio?"
Bella was stunned, her eyes filled with disbelief, "He's so ruthless, cutting me off just for Gianna!"
Before she could finish, Thomas grabbed her chin. The pain made her frown and grit her teeth, "Thomas, what are you doing? Let go of me!"
Thomas's cold eyes stared at her, "Bella, don't forget whose fiancée you are now. Don't let me see you pining for Felix. It's disgusting!"
Bella slapped his hand away, her gaze icy, "What use are you as a fiancé? You stand by while I'm pushed to the brink. We're just in a partnership. You have no right to interfere with my actions!"
Thomas suddenly laughed and nodded, "You're right, but as long as you're my fiancée, don't show any affection for Felix, or you'll regret it!"
Bella was furious and was about to speak when her phone rang. Seeing it was Ella, she answered impatiently, "I'm out right now. We'll discuss the terminations when I get back!"
"Bella, the shareholders have discovered you embezzled the Clinton Group's funds for LR Design Studio! You need to come back immediately!" Ella said urgently.
Bella's face turned extremely pale, and she began to tremble. What should she do?
When the Redstone Group had issues and Julian was demanding a divorce from Lauren, she had secretly taken fifty million dollars from the Clinton Group's billion-dollar investment in LR Design Studio to help Julian. She had planned to return the money after making a profit, but so many things had happened, and she hadn't had the chance to return the money before being discovered.
She bit her lip, trying to steady herself, "How did they find out?"
